NBA Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers still front-runners to land Kevin Love

As long as the Cleveland Cavaliers are willing to part with No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins, the team remains the front-runner to acquire forward Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

"The Cleveland Cavaliers cannot officially trade Andrew Wiggins before Aug. 23, but they remain the front-runner in the trade sweepstakes for the Minnesota Timberwolves‘ Kevin Love, according to sources close to the process.Sources told ESPN.com that the Wolves, at present, are higher on a Cleveland trade package centered on Wiggins than any other offer on the table for Love."

ESPN’s Chris Broussard has reported in the past that Cleveland has discussed sending Wiggins, Anthony Bennett and a future first-round pick to the Timberwolves.

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It’s certainly understandable why the Wolves prefer a Cavs deal, especially if Love’s other top suitor, the Golden State Warriors, is unwilling to trade Klay Thompson.

Wiggins is not only an elite prospect and someone who projects to be a very good NBA player sooner than later, he’s also on a rookie contract, which makes him a fairly inexpensive asset for the next couple of years.

From the Cavaliers perspective, trading for Love makes all the sense in the world, even if it means having to part with Wiggins. A team with LeBron James is always in win-now mode, so Cleveland would be wise to surround James with players that could help bring the Cavs a title as soon as next year.

While Wiggins signing his rookie deal puts a hold on this deal potentially happening, it’s a win-win move and it seems likely to get done at some point.